Animals Tags & Licenses

The City of Columbia Code of Ordinances requires that cats and dogs over the age of three (3) months must be licensed. Dogs are licensed for periods up to three (3) years. Cats are normally licensed for one (1) year. The Boone County ordinance does not require licenses, however, it does require that all dogs or cats over three (3) months of age be vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian.

You may apply for a City of Columbia animal license at a veterinarian office located in Columbia, and you may purchase animal tags at the City of Columbia Cashier’s Office located on the 1st Floor of the Historic Daniel Boone Building, 701 East Broadway. You must provide proof of rabies vaccination to the Cashiers Office.

Additional information on animal control fees is available through the Public Health and Human Services Department, phone 449-1888.

Each licensed veterinarian engaged in such practice within the City shall collect the animal license tax and issue a certificate and metallic tag, to be supplied by the Business License Administrator, evidencing payment of such tax.

No person shall own, keep, harbor or permit to be or remain on or about his premises any dog or cat over three (3) months of age which has not been licensed.

The license fee for each domestic cat or dog between the ages of three (3) months and 12 months and for each neutered domestic cat or dog of any age kept, harbored or owned within the City is $5.00 for any period of time not to exceed one year; and $10.00 for any period greater than one year, but not exceeding two (2) years; and $15.00 for any period greater than two (2) years but not exceeding three (3) years.

The license fee for each domestic cat or dog over the age of 12 months kept, harbored or owned within the city is $15.00 for any period of time not to exceed one year; $30.00 for any period greater than one year, but not exceeding two (2) years; and $45.00 for any period greater than two (2) years but not exceeding three (3) years.